BRITISH families have been warned to brace themselves for a Christmas infestation of huge mutant RATS that threaten to ruin the festive season.

The rodent invasion is being blamed on this year's warm summer, which saw the hottest average temperatures on record and caused the rat population to soar.

A drop in temperatures due next week, combined with waste bins overflowing with Christmas turkey, have led experts to fear the rodents will be lured inside homes and buildings this winter.

Rob Simpson, managing director of pest controllers register Basis Prompt, said families should be prepared for an invasion of rats which can grow up to TWO FEET long and are immune to most poisons.

He said today: "There are many more rats than usual at the moment thanks to the abnormally mild conditions throughout the UK this year.

"Cold weather that's on the way will drive them into homes in search of shelter and they'll also go scrounging for food from bins and bird tables.

"The Christmas and New Year period will provide them with the perfect opportunity, particularly as it's party time with fewer bin collections.

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The rats can grow up to two cm in length

"People who don't take precautions could be getting unexpected guests who are less welcome than the in-laws."

Shocking figures show the typical home has more than a dozen potential entry points for rats, which can get through gaps as small as 2cm.

They often use plumbing pipes and unscreened vents to get inside and transmit a host of diseases to humans.

With this in mind, Mr Simpson advised homeowners not to ignore warning signs of rats and cited noises in the loft as one of the first tell-tale signals.

He said: "That noise is not something to be ignored as, quite apart from the health risks, they'll foul in water tanks and chew on wood or electrical wires which can cause a lot of damage and poses a fire hazard.

"They'll also do their best to find sources of food, which means they can soon move to other areas of the house too."

He added that homeowners can take simple precautions to help prevent their homes from a rodent infestation.

"The best advice is to thoroughly inspect properties and seal up any external gaps, holes or crevices that can provide rats with a way in," he said.

There are many more rats than usual at the moment thanks to the abnormally mild conditions throughout the UK this year

Rob Simpson

"Doors and windows are another weak area and those that don't close properly provide an open invitation.

"Rats will always gravitate towards food so the tidy maintenance of bins is very important.

"All rubbish should be disposed of carefully and left-over food in particular should never be left lying about.

"Areas around bird feeders should be kept clean, don't leave pet food bowls out overnight and keep weeds and debris well away from buildings as they can be a handy hiding place for rodents."

Families have also been prompted to seek specialist help if infestations continue.

"I can understand people wanting to save money, particularly at Christmas, but the treatment of rats is often complicated and specialised," added Mr Simpson.

Last winter, similar warnings over a rat infestation were prompted after a spate of giant-sized rats were discovered by terrified homeowners.